I too was having electrical problems with my 85. The previous owner had
replaced the alternator twice, replaced the starter a few times, besides
replacing the battery (800+ cca) and still was having problems with it not
starting. So he sold it to me.

When i got it, it would also quit running or not turn over unless you
"wiggled" the ignition terminal on the starter.

The long and short of it (previous posts), I found a jumper wire had melted
and many of the connections in the fuse box had over heated causing poor
connections.

Replaced burnt wires and cleaned some connections, replaced others, no more
problems.

Now it turns the engine over and starts instantly the moment you turn the
key and no more dead batteries.

So remove you fuse box and look at all wires and connections.

Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dylan Kahler" <dkahler@UPS.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 6:33 PM
Subject: battery questions

> I've been having regular problems with batteries in my '85 westy. I've
> replaced the battery twice now in 3 months (on warranty luckily). I
> checked the alternator and it's giving the right voltage, and nothing
> else seems to be draining down the battery. I don't set my fridge to
> battery, and the water in the battery seems just fine. I've been using
> the DieHard 30042 WeatherHandler which is what came in the van when I
> purchased it from the PO.  Is this battery too weak for the Vanagon? I
> looked up this battery series online and it says they have up to 700
> cold cranking amps, so I don't understand why it wouldn't be
> functioning fine (the '85 vanagon requires ~435 cca's right?) to start
> up the van. Any clues as to what direction I should take from here?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Dylan
> dkahler@ups.edu